Pettenasco Holidays

Just two miles along the coast from Orta San Giulio lies Pettenasco, a tiny lakeside comune best noted for its handful of excellent restaurants. Its medieval houses, small beach and pretty harbour also help make it one of Lake Orta’s most picturesque locations – we highly recommend exploring the village on foot to truly appreciate its beauty. The local restaurants focus on serving locally sourced cuisine, plus there are often some great wines to enjoy alongside your meal, too.

When it comes to getting out and about, it’s easy to reach the nearby town of Orta San Giulio, which is just around the cove. Best known for its jaw-dropping island, Isola San Giulio, this pretty town is a great place to spend an afternoon strolling the medieval streets or enjoying the views from the lakefront promenade.

Your plans, our expertise

Start planning your Citalia holiday by getting in touch with one of our Personal Travel Planners.

Lines open: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30 (Wednesdays from 9:30), Bank Holidays 10:00 to 16:00.

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Handpicked Hotels in Pettenasco

Discover the real Pettenasco while staying in one of our carefully selected hotels

Italian Lakes, Lake Orta

Hotel Giardinetto

Restaurant terrace situated on the lake front
Tranquil location in Pettenasco, with its own private boat landing stage

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Things to do in Pettenasco

Things to doChurch of Santa Maria AssuntaCelebrated for its Romanesque architecture, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta (St Mary of the Assumption) has stood proud in the village of Armeno, on the western side of Lake Orta since the 11th century.Find out more about the Church of Santa Maria Assunta

Things to doIsola San GiulioThe famous island of San Giulio is situated in the middle of the Lake Orta, opposite the village of Orta San Giulio.Find out more about Isola San Guilio

Things to doSacro Monte di OrtaA UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003, the Sacro Monte di Orta (sacred mountain of Orta) is a Roman Catholic religious site where 20 chapels dating as far back as the 16th century stand, depicting the life of St Francis of Assisi through well-preserved murals and sculptures.Find out more about Sacro Monte di Orta

Things to doVisit Lake MaggioreThe beauty of Lake Maggiore has been well-documented throughout history, with its clear waters said to have come from the teardrops of unrequited lovers.Find out more about Lake Maggiore

Flight Information

The closest airport to Lake Orta is Milan Malpensa (MXP). Direct flights to Milan are available from Birmingham, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton and Manchester and take approximately 2 hours.

When to go

Lake Orta is a summer destination, with the season generally running from April to October. Temperatures are at their hottest in July and August and this is when Orta is at its busiest. The climate in the spring and autumn is still warm which makes it perfect for visiting at the beginning or end of season too. For those who want to avoid the busiest crowds but still enjoy warm temperatures, May, June and September are ideal months to visit.

Visa Information

At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.

Tipping

Whilst tipping isn’t embedded into Italian culture it is always appreciated as an acknowledgement of good service. Nowadays people generally round up a bill in a bar or cafe and leave 5-10% extra on a restaurant bill. Taxi bills are usually also rounded up.

On guided tours/excursions, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide.

On small group escorted tours, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide at the end of the tour.

Introduction to languages

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.

Lake Orta Specialities Lake Orta is a tranquil getaway and while it is one of Italy’s smaller lakes, it is by no means lacking in fine dining experiences and speciality dishes.

For those wanting to try some local dishes, pasta with donkey or horse meat is a delicacy of the area and will give you a real flavour of authentic Italy. Traditional Italian dishes like these are deeply rooted in the Italian culture, with the recipes often passed down from generation to generation. Many restaurants in the area serve these authentic dishes alongside more conventional choices if you prefer.

Lake Orta Specialities Cheese lovers will be in their element with local cheeses which are a real jewel of local cuisine. Every town and hamlet in this northern Italian region produces its own cheese specialty so it’s a real must-try for those visiting the area. Try Murazzano for a rich cheese with an aromatic taste or Robiola di Roccaverano, a fresh cheese with a delicate taste which is excellent when paired with local red wines.

Lake Orta Specialities The wines of the Piedmont region are mostly created from the Nebbiolo grape and tend to be red. Two of the most popular varieties include Barolo and Barbaresco as they complement the strong flavours of Lake Orta’s traditional cuisine. Making wine in Italy is an art so make sure you sample the different varieties on offer while in the home region.